"Aggressive dismantling of cooperation" - Maria Zakharova on the prospects for relations between Russia and Japan

Today, a traditional briefing was held by the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova, who commented on a number of issues on the current world agenda.

Japanese Russophobia dictated by Washington

The first question of the correspondent of The Moscow Post concerned Japan's refusal to invite Russian representatives to events on the anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"The head of the international committee of the Federation Council, Grigory Karasin, promised to remember to the Japanese that the Russian ambassador was not invited to the ceremony in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and called these actions" rudeness. " Why are these ceremonies of the anniversary of the American atomic bombing of Japan so important to us?, "Asked a correspondent for The Moscow Post.

Maria Zakharova recalled that this is not so much about the significance of the annual memorial events dedicated to the memory of the victims of atomic bombing by the American Air Force Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but about the promotion of anti-Russian policies by official Tokyo. Russia sees a blind desire to follow Western patterns and attempts to "cancel" our country to please Washington. This is what the current administration of the country is doing.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly warned the Kisida administration that it has full responsibility for the aggressive dismantling of bilateral cooperation. Without consequences for Japan itself, these actions will not remain.

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the fact that the topic is important for our country in a historical context. Russia sees trends according to which the story of those events is rewritten, any mention is withdrawn that the bombing using nuclear weapons was made by the United States. Thus, historical memory and historical logic are undermined.

"One gets the feeling that it was not the United States that did this, but the tragedy happened in some other way, and it does not matter what. This is important, since Russophobia, which is gaining weight in Tokyo under the dictation of Washington, will fill these very historical lacunae and gaps. Instead of understanding who truly committed monstrous aggression against the people of Japan, a new enemy will be proposed, which the Japanese people have never had, "the diplomat said.

Russia has never been aggressive towards the Japanese people, and has always advocated cooperation. But now there is a substitution of historical realities. It is also important to remember the true story because the employees of the Soviet embassy were one of the first to be at the scene of the tragedy. The military attachés were in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after 2 weeks, and a month later a report was submitted on the consequences of atomic bombing.

The great and significant contribution of the USSR and Russia is that Hiroshima and Nagasaki, thanks to our efforts, have become a world symbol of the inadmissibility of the use of nuclear weapons. Thousands of events were dedicated to this.

"Our people historically honour the memory of the victims of these bombings. We made films about the consequences and inadmissibility of using nuclear weapons. Perhaps the Japanese leadership is not aware of how carefully our memory is kept in our country and with what love and sympathy our people treat the people of Japan, who have fallen victim to the US bombing. It would be good for them to know this, "said Maria Zakharova.

In Russia, this topic has become symbolic, through the sincere sympathy of our people, our friendly and humanitarian ties have been strengthened.

"I really want the Japanese to know about this, and not be a victim of the propaganda of their government," the diplomat summed up.

"Wake up" with non-nuclear principles

The second question of the correspondent of The Moscow Post concerned issues of nuclear deterrence.

"Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently gave an interview to The Economist magazine and suggested how to" wake up "Japanese citizens to discuss nuclear deterrence and extended deterrence policies, referred to the experience of Germany and the NATO camp in Europe. What could be the position of Russia on this issue?, "- asked the correspondent of The Moscow Post.

Maria Zakharova recalled that over the past years, when a normal dialogue with the Japanese side was still maintained, through the Security Councils of the two countries, a list of Russian concerns regarding Tokyo's actions in the military-political sphere was seriously discussed. We clearly outlined the unacceptability of Japan's rejection of three non-nuclear principles. The Russian position on this issue remains unchanged.

Energy "shot in the leg"

Finally, the third question of the correspondent of The Moscow Post concerned the interaction between states in the field of energy.

"State Duma Speaker Volodin suggested that the Accounts Chamber think about the fate of the Sakhalin-2 LNG project, speaking rather sharply not in favor of Japan. Tokyo believes that oil and gas ties with Russia should be preserved. Investors of Sakhalin Energy, following Shell, do not want to leave. How does Russia develop relations with Tokyo in the oil and gas sector under the conditions of sanctions? Is it necessary to maintain these ties, given that there are more than enough people willing to buy LNG in the Asia-Pacific region?, "- asked the correspondent of The Moscow Post.

The diplomat recalled that, despite the destructive anti-Russian actions of the West, which beat all areas of economic ties in the world, our country remains one of the key suppliers of energy resources to the world market.

It is regrettable that Japan, an extremely vulnerable country in terms of providing energy, contrary to its own economic interests, went to the initiators of sanctions restrictions against the Russian Federation. As a result, many promising plans in the field of LNG supplies, the production of new energy resources, including hydrogen, the introduction of clean energy technologies, were threatened.

"But it is Japan's choice and the responsibility lies with the Japanese government. Russia is still ready for constructive cooperation with Japan in the energy sector. But we are also forced to take into account Tokyo's unfriendly position in determining the future of energy projects, "the diplomat said.

Russia states that the demand for energy resources in the Asia-Pacific region will grow at a faster pace. In this regard, many countries of the world are interested in stable cooperation with the Russian Federation and ensuring a reliable base for the supply of energy sources and strengthening their own energy security. The Russian Foreign Ministry hopes that Tokyo will be able to correctly perceive the Russian thesis.